He escaped from the prison camp and travelled almost 300 mi (480 km) to Portuguese Lourenço Marques in Delagoa Bay, with the assistance of an English mine manager.[39] His escape made him a minor national hero for a time in Britain, though instead of returning home, he rejoined General Buller's army on its march to relieve the British at the Siege of Ladysmith and take Pretoria.[40] This time, although continuing as a war correspondent, he gained a commission iinto Ladysmith and Pretoria. He and his cousin, the Duke of Marlborough, were able to get aroops in Pretoria, where they dem